Impact of Personality Factors on Academic Achievements of College Students

Abstract

The present study attempt at investigating the similarities and differences of achievement motivation of college students in relation to personality variables i.e. internal -external control and demographic factors i.e. gender differences like male and female and achievement level i.e. high achievement and low achievement within the framework of socio­cultural and educational background of Bangladesh. The study has been developed in the line of (i) Achievement Motivational Approach, (ii) Philosophical and Physiological Roots of Motivation Theory, (iii) Psychoanalytic Approach of Motivation, (iv) Rotter's Social Learning Approach and Internal-External Control of Personality, (v) Cognitive Approach: Expectancy-Value Theory, and (vi) Socio-Demographic Approach. All these approaches have been utilized and integrated in order to show similarities or differences of achievement motivation of college students having high and low achievement motivation. Thus, the present study uses correlational approach with a criterion group design. The study conducted in two phases. In the first phase, criterion group of arts and science college students were selected on the basis of a criteria questionnaire. The criterion groups of arts and science students were divided into male and female equally. These male and female students were further sub-divided into high achiever and low achiever on the basis of their achievement level and responses to the criteria questionnaire. In the second phase, the criterion groups were given measures of (i) Achievement Motivation Scale, (ii) Internal-External Control of Personality Inventory and (iii) Demographic Variables. For measuring achievement level of motivation a modified form of Achievement Motivation Scale was used and for measuring personality Internal-External Control Inventory was used. Demographic variables include arts and science faculty, gender differences like male and female and level of achievement like high achiever and low achiever. The study utilized two samples drawn from arts and science faculties' of different educational institutions of Rajshahi and Chapai Nawabganj District. Each sample was composed of 120 respondents equally divided into male (N = 60) and female (N = 60). Again male and female were sub-divided into high achiever (N = 30) and low achiever (N = 30). Thus, the total sample was composed of 240 college students. All the respondents were Muslims. This choice was preerred in order to keep the religious variable controlled. The main objectives of the present study were to make an empirical investigation of academic achievement as reflected in their personality. Thus, the specific objectives of the present study were as follows: Firstly, to find out the differential achievement motivation scores between arts and science, male and female, high and low achiever students. Secondly, to find out the differential personality factors on internal external control scores between arts and science, male and female, high and low achiever students. Thirdly, to find out the similarities between arts male and science male, arts female and science female, arts high achiever and science high achiever, arts low achiever and science low achiever students on the variables of achievement motivation and personality factors of internal external control. Fourthly, to find out the similarities between arts male and arts female, science male and science female, arts high achiever and arts low achiever, science high achiever and science low achiever students on the variables of achievement motivation and personality factors of internal external control………………………………